Healthy Mac and Cheese Recipe

2 cups uncooked pasta of any variety

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or whole, organic/raw milk)

1/2 cup nutritional yeast*

1 Tbsp vegan butter replacement**(or organic butter)

1 T flour (any type of very fine flour)

1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

*nutritional yeast is a yellow flaky looking thing found in the bulk food section of your health food store. It has a very nutty, cheesy flavor. It’s an inactive yeast, which means it’s not really going to contribute to yeast growth in your body. It’s yummy sprinkled on popcorn, garlic bread, in pasta sauce, etc. It’s super high in vitamin B12, and has some protein.

**note on butter replacement many of these contain processed soy, but you should be able to find one without soy in it. Earth Balance has one variety without soy that works great in this recipe.

Directions:

Start cooking the pasta according to the package directions. While it’s cooking, you should have plenty of time to make the sauce and even steam a few handfuls of frozen veggies to toss in at the end if you want. To make the cheese sauce, add the butter to a small sauce pan on medium heat. While it’s melting, whisk together the milk and flour, and add the milk mixture to the butter as soon as it’s melted. Stir and then add all the remaining ingredients. Whisk it for about 3-5 minutes or until it thickens. You can stop whisking to check the pasta, drain it, check the optional veggies, etc… on medium/low heat, it’s not going to burn very easily.

I like the ease of this meal, because usually everything is “done” at the exact same time. Drain your noodles, pour in the sauce, stir it up and serve.

I often make a double batch of the cheese sauce, to keep some of it in the fridge for several days. It’s yummy to reheat (add a little water, because it will thicken) and dip in raw or steamed veggies.

This recipe was inspired by Angela Liddon at ohsheglows.com. I made some adjustments to it so that my kids would love it, although her version is very delicious for adults!

"A supremely filling, hearty soup. I serve this on cold rainy days with a loaf of homemade bread. Hint: this is perfect for leftover rotisserie chicken or chicken you've pulled from the bone after making homemade chicken stock! This soup makes great leftovers, but you might want to thin it slightly with skim milk or water when reheating." Ingredients: